Arsenal fans feared the worst over the weekend when Declan Rice was forced off with a back issue during the Gunners’ 2-0 win over West Ham, but fresh updates have brought relief instead of alarm.
According to EPL Index, both Arsenal and England have reason to breathe easy after the midfielder’s early withdrawal proved to be precautionary.
Rice, who had opened the scoring against his former club, signalled to the bench in the 79th minute, prompting Mikel Arteta to substitute him for Mikel Merino.
The Arsenal boss offered little comfort afterward, admitting, “He’s not all right because he asked me to come off, so that’s a shame. He had a pain in his back and he could not carry on which is something very unusual for Declan so we’ll have to assess him and see how he is.”
Those words caused some anxiety among supporters, given Rice’s remarkable fitness record. However, medical tests carried out on Sunday brought encouraging news.
Instead of staying behind at London Colney for treatment, the England international joined up with Gareth Southgate’s squad at St George’s Park as scheduled.
By Monday afternoon, he was spotted taking part in light indoor training alongside the rest of the 24-man squad.
The timing of his recovery is crucial for Arsenal, who face a busy run of fixtures after the international break, starting with a London derby against Fulham on October 18, followed by clashes with Atletico Madrid and Crystal Palace in quick succession.
Arteta will be counting on Rice to stabilize midfield battles and keep the team’s transitions fluid during this congested period.
For England, his availability is equally reassuring. Rice’s leadership has become integral to Southgate’s setup, and his participation in recovery sessions signals that no last-minute adjustments are required.
Beyond his defensive qualities, Rice’s influence on the team’s tempo and discipline, both with and without the ball, remains indispensable.
